Patent · US Active

LED current control circuits and methods

US7683553B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
2References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 1, 2007
Grant dateMar 23, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 6, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B20/30
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include circuits and methods for electrical current control. In one embodiment, a regulator provides power to the anode end of a set of LED strings. A current setting circuit derives its current from a current reference and generates multiple matching currents that drive the low side (cathode end) of the set of LED strings. The current setting circuit also contains a feedback signal to the regulator that helps maintain a desired voltage level to the anode end of the LED strings. This embodiment is designed to be expandable and drive any number of LED strings. The present invention may be implemented with a high or low side driver scheme to drive the current. Also, the present invention may be implemented with bipolar, nmos, pmos, or any device that operates as a transistor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.